Championship cup to go to winners of picnic tug of war

Transferring rivalries from the ballot box to the picnic ground, local Democrats and Republicans will face off for the second time in a tug-of-war competition at the Bay Ridge Community Council’s upcoming community picnic.

This time, though, the champs will take home a huge loving cup, the Vincent Kassenbrock Trophy, named in memory of the first president and founder of the venerable organization. “The trophy is very special,” remarked Alex Conti, BRCC’s president. “Each year, we will allow the winning team captain to house the trophy at the club of his or her choice.”

The winning team will be inscribed on a plaque on one side of the trophy. “It’s similar to the trophy from the Super Bowl,” Conti added.

To mark the auspicious occasion, some of the competitors – State Senator Marty Golden and Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis for the GOP, and Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny and City Councilmember Vincent Gentile for the Dems, plus staff members – tugged a miniature rope while BRCC officials held the trophy up outside Beyond Dance, on Third Avenue at 88th Street, on the morning of April 23.

The rivalry was fierce. “We know who’s going to win – the same people who won in 2011,” remarked Golden, basking in the victory of himself and his teammates at last year’s picnic.

Not so fast, said the Dems. “Remind me to bring some people from Brighton Beach,” joked Brook-Krasny.

Besides the tug-of-war, the open-to-the-public picnic will also feature a dance contest, with adults vying for first, second and third place prizes in two categories – salsa and hustle. There will also be a DJ playing music all day, games for kids and adults, prize bags for all children 12 or younger, and a blockbuster antique car show with some 25 vintage vehicles provided by the Antique Automobile Association of Brooklyn.

The cars will date from the Roaring Twenties through the Seventies, said association President Lenny Shiller, who explained that picnic attendees could vote for their favorites to win the people’s choice awards. As for which cars would be on display, “You never know what you will see,” Shiller said.

The picnic will be held on the bluff at Fort Hamilton Army Base, 101st Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway, on Sunday, May 6 (rain date, Sunday, June 3), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 per person, and attendees should bring their own food and beverages (no alcoholic drinks are allowed), as well as table, chairs and blanket. No barbecuing is permitted, and all attendees must have a photo ID to be admitted.